"Drinking too much isn''t good for you." Nigel met Calliope''s gaze, his tone gentle but firm. "You''ve had enough for tonight. Let''s not forget-you once saved my life. I can''t just stand by and watch my own savior drink herself into trouble, can I?"


    The people standing nearby had been quietly intrigued by Nigel''s fussing over Calliope. After all, everyone knew he and Ss were sworn enemies-why would he go out of his way to watch over Ss''s wife?


    But as soon as Nigel said she''d saved him, everything seemed to fall into ce. Calliope was known as the Miracle Doctor. Maybe Nigel had faced some impossible crisis or illness-something no one else could cure-but Calliope had managed to pull him back from the brink.


    So of course he felt indebted to her. Of course he cared if she went too far with the drinks. No one could dispute that. The notion of any unsavory entanglement between the two simply vanished. A wave of relief passed among the onlookers, tension easing from shoulders everywhere.


    Calliope looked at Nigel, helpless amusement ying at the corners of her mouth. "I can handle my liquor. This isn''t too much for me-honestly, I haven''t even had my fill yet." The truth was, she hadn''t gotten her target to bite yet. And now Nigel had interrupted her, just as she was setting her trap. She couldn''t help feeling a little indignant and unfairly used.


    Nigel said nothing, sheepish and subdued.


    Calliope let out a sharp sigh of frustration and swept past him. Nigel trailed after her like a chastened puppy, his usual arrogance reced by a look of utter defeat.


    The scene drew smothered chuckles from those around them.


    "That''s a first-looks like Mr. Howell''s actually scared of Calliope!”


    "It''s really something to see," someone murmured.


    "The way they act, you''d think she''s gotplete control over Mr. Howell."


    "Calliope is incredible. Is she really that powerful? Even someone like Mr. Howell seems nervous around her!"


    "She''s one formidable woman."


    "It''s such a shame the Jewell family cut ties with her..."


    Meanwhile, the Jewell father and son who''d just been mentioned were holed up in their room.


    Monty was pacing back and forth, wringing his hands. "What if they


    realize we aren''t supposed to be here and kick us out? Surely they''re check into all this, are


    not going toanicking-


    they? He was He was ing this was


    the fanciest event he''d ever set foot in, and now he''d gotten imover his head.


    He dreaded being found out. Ms. White had helped them get in, but she now


    seemed eager to have nothing to do with them.


    "Dad, just calm down," Horatio said, shooting his father a nce. "Worrying won''t solve anything We weren''t supposed to be herein the first ce."


    They''de in hopes of mingling and making connections, but instead had made fools of themselves.


    ?


    Horatio couldn''t help but regret how they''d treated Calliope. She was truly someone of consequence-and with even Nigel looking out for her it was clear the people she mingled with were leagues above them.


    "If we get thrown out, we''ll be the joke of the town for years,” Monty fretted.


    Horatio just shrugged. "As if we haven''t beenughed at enough. The Jewell family''s had more than its share of scandals. What''s one more on the pile?"


    Monty winced, the wordsnding like a punch.


    A sudden knock at the door made Monty jump out of his skin.


    Horatio stiffened, holding his breath as he stared at the door-convinced their worst


    fear was about toe true.